Adventure, Part 1

Hubby & I are headed into new territory for the next week.  My sister & her boyfriend finally talked us into vacationing with them in Mexico.  It took some planning and saving and budgeting and farming out the kids, but we are on our way to Mexico. 

 Due to flight plans and whatever, we got to spend the day in Denver wasting time. Now Denver rained and snowed on us all day, but we still had a fun filled day. 

 It has been quite the experience for me. I got on a plane for only the second time in my life. Had to maneuver airport and find baggage claim.  Took a questionable cab ride to downtown Denver. Spent the day walking and looking and stopping to drink adult beverage. Rode Denver's electric train to different part of town to eat at the oldest steakhouse in Denver. Thankfully got a great cab ride back to motel room.  

It's been a lot of learning for me today. Lots of fun and relaxation also. Now I need to chill out in out motel room and muster up the courage to survive the plane ride in the morning without incident. 

Heyyyy Bossss!

Ok, let's try posting this video once more so it can actually be viewed.  Sorry!

TC is (so she sometimes informs me) mine and papa's cowboss.  She's learning at young age, though honestly most of her time is spent catching an nap while we are out feeding cows.
This morning I had to stop and capture this little video of her.  She cracks me up.    Enjoy!

Tis the Season

Tis the season to be buying bulls!  Last week we attended our first sale of the season.  We went, we looked, we liked and we bought!  My checkbook is a lot lighter as we came home with 2 bulls for ourselves and 1 bull for the corporation.

I love bulls sales.  I'm not sure why.  Maybe it's as simple as bull sale means a trip to town.  Maybe it's because I can remember going with my dad as a young kid and later on in life going with him as a serious looker/buyer.  Could be it's just all the excitement, the cleaned up and cattle and getting to see and visit with people.  Whatever the reason, I just simply enjoy a bull sale.

Last week on twitter, I tweeted asking what EPD's are most influential to you and your operation when choosing new breeding bulls.  It was a quite a conversation and there is no right or wrong answer as each cattle operation is different.  The one big this we talked about is how some people forget to actually take phenotype into consideration.  I feel that is and should be a big part of our selection process.

 On that same particular twitter conversation it was discussed how many cattlemen and women actually understand and comprehend what each EPD stands for and means.  Do they understand their importance or how one may correlate with another?  If I was smart enough I would post a link to the conversation, but that is way over my head!

So how do you use EPD's?  How much influence do they have in your selection process?  What are the top 3 EPD's you look at while browsing a sale catalogue?  Do you take the time to actually look at the bull?

Beauty Swap

I seem to be suffering a little bit from the winter blues.  I blame Mother Nature and the fact she keeps throwing extremely extreme cold temps our way with out any forgiveness.  When I noticed that Crystal Cattle and Cowgirl Crush were teaming up for a beauty Swap I signed up thinking it would be fun and get my mind off of our freezing temps.

Some of my friends shook their head and were confused, me and a beauty swap??  Didn't seem like something for me.  I agree, I am not the biggest makeup user, but I like to learn and try new things.  Though I'm not huge makeup wearer, theres something about painted toenails (that no one sees but me) and mascara that can lift my spirits and turn an attitude around.  That being said, I am not going to admit how old I was before I was able to properly apply and wear mascara!

I was team up with Jenn, from New Mexico.  It was fun getting to know her through email and what we did and didn't have in common.  She sent me a fun box with products that I was interested in, products I hadn't heard of and things I never seem to buy for myself.

Through our correspondence, Jenn and I learned about products we like to try, need and want.  She sent me two different pore minimizers that I am excited to try.  Having kids really messed up my complexion and pores being one way.  She sent me 'The Pore fessional' and Maybeline's Baby Skin.  I have started using the Maybeline Baby Skin, and love the way it feels on my skin.  

Also included was some fun vibrant colored nail polish and lip gloss!  After doing my toes the other night, I hid the polish from my oldest daughter as she was on the prowl to steal it!  It's fun and I can't wait to use it for when I head to Mexico next month.

Some Garnier Fructis Glossing Spray was included in my goody box also.  I used it last night before we headed out to the basketball tournament.  Where has it been all my life?  Loved the results.

Rounding out my goody box was 3 different makeup brushes.  Score!! I received an eyeshadow brush, defining eye brush and a brow brush.  I was in need of new brushes.  I often wonder why it's so hard for me to buy new makeup brushes.  

I had so much fun with this Beauty Swap.  I enjoyed shopping for Jenn, researching different things and getting excited to send it her way.  Thanks Crystal Cattle and Cowgirl Crush for letting me participate and can't to wait for any future swaps.  

Help Wanted.

I am drawing a blank.  I've got nothing.  Paper is blank, computer screen is blank.  I need help!

You may or may not know but lat fall I did a guess post over on the blog Housewives of Rural America.  It was scary, fun and nerve wracking to write and then push that send button.  I am so glad I did, as it was a great experience.  My post titled 12 Confessions of a Mediocre Housewife got a few chuckles and connected with some readers.  That's way I was hoping for but didn't expect.

Now this brings me to why I need help, I am scheduled to write another blog post to be published the end of February.  I am excited and honored that they are allowing me to write for the blog again.  That being said, I am drawing a blank on what to write about.

Shall I blog about my infamous Knephla soup recipe or another recipe?  Shall I blog about sugar beets  or my cows or farming in Montana?  Shall I blog about the craziness of working along your husband with 2 kids in tow?  Shall I blog about some of the hurdles we faced starting to farm and are facing now?  Maybe a craft idea?  Maybe I should blog about the steps I take to make and can my salsa?  OR maybe I should blog about how important it is to have your girlfriends and being able to talk to them and planning a girls night at home?  Shall I blog about and ask others on how they keep farm records, cattle records and book work and what apps and programs are available and they use?  Bull season is upon us, maybe a post on buying bulls.  Throw some of your ideas at me.

I need your help!!

Now I must get going and get corn shoveled to feed replacements and cull cows.  It's cold and snowy out so I have been procrastinating this morning.

In honor of #tbt, I thought I'd throw in a couple of pictures from a few years ago.  We were at dad's house and him and T were on a mission to catch 'her' horse Abe.  Unfortunately we lost Abe to botulism a year or so ago.  Enjoy your Thursday and the pictures
!

Cruel and Unusual Punishment?

Who doesn't love Birthdays and the Birthday song?

TC, that's who.  Doesn't matter if we are singing Happy Birthday to her, you, me or her best friend.  She. Hates. It!!!

No joke, when attending friends birthday parties I try to remove her from the room before the singing starts.  Now, we, her aunts and uncles, our friends and everyone else who has witnessed gets a good laugh out of it.  Its the craziest thing.

What's that?  You don't believe me?  Well ok then.

Well there ya go!  Oh, and I am sure you noticed how her loving family did NOT quit singing to her!

New Year, New Goals

 New year, new blog goals for 2014.  My goal is to post at least twice a week, heres to me succeeding! I have my posts half written or waiting to be edited, so I best get busy!

For now, I thought I would share something I wrote a long time ago.  Don't be too harsh, but let me know what you think.  I can't even remember when I wrote this or if something had happened to make me write this.  I just know that this poem has been in my old notebook of my writings through 8 moves and living in 3 states.  That's saying something because I loose everything.  Enjoy.

Hey Grandpa

Tana Hauso-Berwick

Hey Grandpa - How's it going up there?

     Been busy working and riding

     Never can seem to get ahead

I need to talk, got some time to spare?

So, Grandpa - The pastures, they green?

     Down heres its dry and brown

     I try to smile, make it through the day

It's hard for me Grandpa, I'm sure you've seen.

Tell me Grandpa - Do the horses run hard and true?

     Are you taking time to enjoy yourself?

     Found me a man, strong 'n kind

Hardworking 'n funny, reminds me of you.

Hey Grandpa - Warm enough? 20 below here.

     Starting to snow and grow colder

     I'm trying to be tough, just like you taught

I wonder, why did you have to go?

This is it Grandpa - time to say goodbye.

     It's not forever, just a long while.

     Just remember Grandpa, I love you 'n

Sometimes Cowgirls do need to cry.